Clansman PRC320 RT320 Repair and Servicing

This instalment continues the series with some general notes on the PRC320 (RT320). Information is provided on servicing and some of the most common problems encountered. RT320 Transceivers cover 1.9-29.999MHz with CW, AM, and SSB modes. Probably being the most popular Clansman HF portable amongst radio amateurs. These notes are intended as a guide to the areas that may require attention rather than a definite guide to repair.

Clansman RT320 (PRC320)

General construction & Units

In common with all of the Clansman series radios the RT320 is of robust construction. The circuitry being contained within a sturdy die-cast aluminium housing which is sealed with gaskets at the front and rear panel. All rotating controls are sealed with “O” rings with similar seals around all other entries. The RT320 is also pressurised with dry air at about 4psi. Immersing the unit in water and checking for bubbles revealed any leaks.

Both the front and rear panels are retained to the main body with fourteen 3mm Hexagonal Key bolts. Before opening the case it is customary to unscrew and remove the decissator or pressurisation screw on the main body to relieve any internal air pressure.

The rear panel contains the Transmitter RF amplifier, driver tuning and Audio Interface circuitry. And is connected to the main unit (& front panel) by a special “D” Type plug and socket which also carries the associated coaxial connections. This whole unit can be pulled free of the case as required. Fortunately the rear units rarely present with any faults and only have to be removed when testing the main unit out of its case.

The front unit

This contains the main tuning, frequency generation and signal processing circuitry together with the Aerial Tuning Unit (ATU).

The Rear Unit

Preventative Maintenance

RT320s were first in volume production around 1976 and some may now be over 40 years old. During service they would have been regularly tested and serviced by the REME.

The REME would have used special to type field test equipment and manufacturers replacement units. This is necessary to keep the relatively complex unit in fully functional condition and ensure that it will not fail when needed to pass a vital message.

As far as the MOD is concerned the equipment has now reached the end of its service life and some items may not have received such special attention towards the time of disposal. There is also evidence of units being repaired by contractors, where the standards of work were not as high.

Generally all Clansman sets were maintained to a very high standard but be cautious of radios released via surplus dealers, which are often sold as untested and may sometimes be internally damaged or incomplete.

Routine Servicing

One important area of attention is to ensure that internal nuts and bolts are tight and have not worked loose. Check the tightness of all visible nuts and bolts; the bolts retaining the range switch turret assembly to the front panel require particular attention. Also the cover on the range switch needs to be removed to access the individual range wafers. The bolts retaining each of the wafers to the drum should be checked for tightness.

During this procedure and when operating the RT320 it is important to only rotate the Range Switch in a Clockwise direction. The helps prevent damage to the switch contacts by rotating in the same direction as the natural profile of the contact cam.

Loose wafer bolts can cause instability of the PLL particularly on the upper ranges.

Servicing the PLL Module

Tantalum Capacitors in PLL Ramp Generator

Note green corrosion proucts on right hand end of lead.

In part two of these articles it was mentioned that some units employed special High Voltage Tantalum Capacitors. Tantalum capacitors were relatively new in the 1970s and represented a major advance in capacitor technology. The Wet Tantalum allowed capacitors to be constructed with a high capacitance to volume ratio, low Electronic Series Resistance (ESR) and good stability. This made them ideal for use in power supplies and coupling or decoupling applications. Most Tantalum capacitors have relatively low working voltages when compared to electrolytic types. The power supply in the RT320 has an output of 110V for the PLL and Vari-Cap tuning. This required the Plessey designers to use specially manufactured Tantalum capacitors that are now very difficult to source.

After the passage of thirty or so years the leakage from many of these capacitors has increased, lowering the 110V output or causing complete failure of this part of the PSU module. Often the increased load caused by failing capacitors overloads the series stabiliser transistors, which break down.

One of the first things that experienced service engineers look for in faulty equipment of 1970s manufacture is short circuit Tantalum Capacitors! They are the cause of many failures in power supplies and often fail short-circuit or burn out with obvious signs.

The capacitors in question are C2 and C3 in the Ramp Generator Module. These are 9uF at 125V

They can be replaced with two 22uF 63V items in series making 11uF at 126V. The capacitors can be soldered together and sleeved with heat-shrink. The physical size is then such that they will easily fit in the original positions.

Servicing The Power Supply Module (Unit No.5)

When the set is switched on a 2kHz tone should be heard from the handset or headset, this indicates that the PLL has not locked and normally stops when the correct range switch setting is selected.

In faulty sets this warning tone is often continuous and often indicates failure of the Power Supply 110V line or PLL module.

When encountering a faulty RT320 the first port of call is the Power Supply module.

Remove the top case of the module and check that there is around 130V at the checkpoint. Also test the voltage at the output of the series stabiliser, which should be approximately110V

Connections to the PSU module are brought out to a socket that is easily disconnected, allowing the module to be removed and replaced with a working unit. Once removed Modules can be repaired and tested without requiring any connection to the RT320. Alternatively the Power Supply test unit available as part of the RT320 Test Kit permits tests to be performed on all supplies under the correct load conditions.

Further detail on repair is beyond the scope of this article but will be covered in a future edition.

Test Kit Radio RT320

This is an essential kit for those undertaking regular service works on the RT320.

The complete kit is contained in suitcase under reference NSN 6625-99-622-5100 and comprises the following items:-

TEST SET RADIO NSN 6625-99-622-5389

TEST SET POWER SUPPLY NSN-6625-99-622-5390

STAND ASSEMBLY NSN 6625-99-622-5391

SHIELD TERMINAL BOARD NSN-5940-99-637-0511

ALIGNMENT JIG REAR PANEL NSN-6625-99-630-6101

Probe Assy 640/1/15472 NSN 6625-99-637-0512

Extractor NSN-5120-99-630-6190

Extractor ITT Cannon CET-C6B

Test Set Radio facilitates separation of the RT320 Front and Rear units’ whist providing test access points for measurements.

Test Set Power Supply allows output voltages of the PSU, (Unit 5) to be checked under load conditions.

The Stand Assembly and Shield Terminal Board are of assistance when making measurements on the main assembly PEC. Alignment Jig Rear Panel being used to check that the Front and Rear panel connectors are correctly aligned. Adjustments can be made prior to final assembly without risking damage to the special “D Type” connector contacts.

Main Sub Assembly PEC

The main Printed Electronic Circuit (PEC) carries the four modules of which 6b contains the detectors for AM & SSB, signal processing, AF signal switching and the audio output stage. Problems can occur when units have been subjected to mechanical impacts during service. Tantalum capacitors are relatively heavy, with mechanical shocks causing these to develop poor connections with the sub assembly PEC. Poor connections on C27 or C28 on Unit 6b have been found to cause low audio output on receive.

Exercise Blue Ham 19

Communications exercise with the ATC and other MOD Cadet groups on the 60m Band. From 0800 on the 16th to 1700 on the 16th to 17th of March 2019.

Members have entered this event on previous occasions, achieving a good number of contacts with Cadet stations. This is a great opportunity to explore the 60m band and contact cadet stations. This gives them valuable practice at message handling under operational conditions.

It is intended to enter this event from BHRS . The exercise is open to full licence holders only, however Foundation and Intermediate licensees may operate under supervision.

Local stations:-

G8DXU/P at BHRS, G0UOI will be operating from Home in Polegate. Also look our for G7HFS/M & G3ZQB.

see www.alphacharlie.org for further information.

G8DXU/P should be active at Beachy Head from 0900 on Saturday until around 1700 and 1000-1600 Sunday depending upon conditions and activity.

Exercise Blue Ham 19

Communications exercise with the ATC and other MOD Cadet groups on the 60m Band. From 0800 on the 16th to 1700 on the 16th to 17th of March 2019.

Members have entered this event on previous occasions, achieving a good number of contacts with Cadet stations. This is a great opportunity to explore the 60m band and contact cadet stations. This gives them valuable practice at message handling under operational conditions.

It is intended to enter this event from BHRS . The exercise is open to full licence holders only, however Foundation and Intermediate licensees may operate under supervision.

Local stations:-

G8DXU/P at BHRS, G0UOI will be operating from Home in Polegate. Also look our for G7HFS/M & G3ZQB.

see www.alphacharlie.org for further information.

G8DXU/P should be active at Beachy Head from 0900 on Saturday until around 1700 and 1000-1600 Sunday depending upon conditions and activity.